Moscow (TDI): Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Russia’s Deputy Chairman of the Government Alexey Overchuk recently held talks in Moscow to bolster cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors.
The meeting, part of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation, emphasized the growing rail cargo traffic between the two nations and China.
According to Kazakhstan’s government press service, the volume of containers transported by rail from Russia to China through Kazakhstan surged by 63% between January and September 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
Similarly, container transportation along the China-Europe-China route, traversing both Russia and Kazakhstan, witnessed a 65% increase.
To support the rising cargo flows, both countries agreed on further enhancing the transport infrastructure along the China-Kazakhstan-Russia corridor.
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A key development is the ongoing construction of a transport and logistics hub at the Selyatino rail station in Moscow’s region.
In April, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Russia’s Slavtrans-Service JSC, and China’s Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co. Ltd began work on the CRK Terminal, which will play a vital role in facilitating cargo movement from Xi’an (China) through Dostyk/Altynkol (Kazakhstan) to Selyatino (Russia).
Kazakhstan a Critical Transit Country
This new facility is expected to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a critical transit country for international transport corridors, boosting the efficiency and competitiveness of the route.
In 2023, rail cargo between China and Russia through Kazakhstan reached 3.8 million tons, marking a 35% increase from the previous year.
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Kazakhstan also remains a significant player in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, linking China and Europe via Central Asia and the Caucasus.
This collaboration highlights the growing importance of Kazakhstan and Russia in regional and global logistics, further enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia.
